Faundo starts, helps Bolts even series with Aces

Alaska import Rob Dozier (1) is being defended by Meralco backup center Bryan Faundo during Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinals series. Faundo got the rare start in Game 4 and helped the Bolts extend the series to a Game 5. PBA IMAGES

In what could be seen as a gambit, Meralco head coach Norman Black inserted backup center Bryan Faundo to the starting lineup in all-important Game 4 against Alaska.

And Faundo didn’t disappoint as he did what Black expected of him in a crucial game.

“Nung sinabi sa akin ni coach na magsa-start ako, sabi nya lang ako yung parang fit sa laro ni Arinze, na kapag pinasahan nya ng bola, kayang tumira pag open,” Faundo said.

The unexpected move caught the Aces by surprise.

With the Alaska defense swarming on hulking reinforcement Arinze Onuaku in the paint, Faundo made Alaska pay with his perimeter shooting, finishing with 12 points that went with seven rebounds to help the Bolts force a Game 5 with an 86-70 win on Monday night.

Faundo said the surprise start helped his confidence.

“Nagbigay yun sa akin ng burst of confidence kasi nandoon yung tiwala sa akin ni coach,” he said. “Nagpapasalamat din ako dahil naka-contribute ako sa team.”

Black was clear when he gave instructions to the seldom-used big man.

“Sabi lang sa akin, be decisive sa kung anong gagawin ko, kung ititira o ipapasa. Yun lang ang gusto ni coach.”

“Must win na kami. Tie or die kami ngayon kaya laban lang kami ng laban kung saan man mapunta yung series na ito,” he said.

Personally, Faundo is aching to finally get to the championship duel, a feat he has not done during his time with Air21, Petron, Ginebra and Blackwater.

“Hanggang semis lang ako eh. Pag nabigyan ako ng chance, first time ko makaapak sana sa Finals,” he said, looking forward to the clincher set on Wednesday.

“Wala ng bukas. Bigay na lahat ng kayang ibigay,” he said. “Mahirap kalaban ang Alaska dahil experienced na sila sa ganung klase ng laban. Alam na nila kung pano manalo, pero pipilitin namin at hindi ibibigay yung chance na makapunta sila dun.”